SCOTUS Decision: States Can’t Force Health Care Data Release

HealthDay News — The Supreme Court has ruled against state efforts to collect health care data from insurance plans.

According to the Associated Press, the ruling came via a 6-2 decision that efforts by Vermont and 17 or more other states to collect and assess the data are in conflict with federal law governing certain health plans.

The case is based on claims made by Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., a self-insured employer with workers in Vermont. The company argued that the law conflicts with the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

“The high court said the potential for a patchwork of different state regulations poses a major financial burden upon health care providers,” according to the AP coverage.